NYC: The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City is one of the most iconic holiday symbols in the world, and each year, it draws millions of visitors. There’s a big tree lighting ceremony (this year, 2024, it was on December 4th), and the tree remains lit from 5:30 AM to 12:00 AM daily throughout the holiday season, except on Christmas Day, when it stays lit for 24 hours. Whenever I’ve been in New York City during December, I’ve made sure to stop by the Christmas tree at least once, as it is such a beautiful sight, but I have never seen the lighting ceremony. On the day of the lighting ceremony, the area around Rockefeller Center becomes highly congested, making it challenging to move or find a good vantage point, so I’d rather go a couple of days later, when the crowds are more manageable.

You’ll have the most beautiful view from the area in front of the ice skating rink. From there, you have a view of the tre as well as the rink and the Prometheus statue. However, you get closest to the tree when approaching from the pathway that runs between 50th or 49th street along the backside of the tree (if we say that the front side of the tree is the side facing the ice skating rink and the Prometheus statue).

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is typically a Norway spruce and it stands anywhere from 70 to 100 feet tall. The tree is sourced from private landowners, often from the northeastern part of the country. The tree is decorated with approximately 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a Swarovski crystal star, which was introduced in 2018. It’s a beautiful sight and one of the things you don’t want to miss if you are in New York City during December.